Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge

General Information

• Area: 1.235 acres (500 ha)
• Date of Creation: December 11, 1996
• Altitude: 9.679 — 13.777 ft (2.950 — 4.200 m)

Pasochoa is a volcano crater that collapsed, leaving an area of forest that was left untouched by man, and which guards species that were almost lost in other parts of the country. The Ecuadorian Fernando Ortíz discovered it in the seventies. Since then it is one of the best administered protected areas of Ecuador, due to the excellent management of Fundación Natura, an Ecuadorian non-governmental organization.

Flora and Fauna

This small ecosystem supports more than a hundred species of birds, and more species are found every year due to the migration into the area of many tanagers and hummingbirds that are forced out of their original environments. Among the birds are the condor, the carunculated caracara and woodpeckers. Mammals like foxes, bats, deer and pumas are found in the refuge too. There are also more than 30 native tree species, an endemic wax palm tree, 60 medicinal plant species and the rare polylepis.

Tourism

Fundación Natura has excelled in attracting tourists to Pasochoa without endangering the area. There are different trails of varying difficulty, each marked clearly with its own color, preventing getting lost and trodding over forest. An 8-hour trail even hikes up to Pasochoa volcano. Camping places are well defined too, and usually guides accompany the tourists. At the entrance there is a refuge with capacity for 20 people, a vivarium and an Environmental Education Center. One arrives to Pasochoa going south of Quito about 30 minutes, and taking a detour after Amaguaña.